Peotone Swears in New Officers; Approves Budget
By Andrea Arens
The Peotone Village Board swore in two new part-time officers on March 13. David Garza from Beecher and Donald McRoberts of Calumet City, who is also a patrolman for the Village of Riverdale.
The public hearing on the 2023-’24 fiscal year budget was heard with no comments from the public. The budget included $3.4M in capital outlay, a minimal draw on the fund balance, and items such as increases in payroll and expenses for each department, but it also laid the groundwork for a capital improvement plan that suggested things, such as purchasing a new village hall and future paving projects.
The budget was unanimously approved with no questions from the board.
A resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing the acceptance of a proposal from local contractor Kulacz & Sons for heating and cooling system upgrades in the amount of $30,268 was unanimously approved. The noise of the AC unit in the village meeting room was cumbersome and affected audio during official meetings. Municipalities are required to send any expense over $25,000 out for bidding but putting it to a board vote allows the village to waive the bidding process. The bid includes updating heating and AC in village hall, the meeting room, and police headquarters with electric units and capping the current boiler system. The repairs were expected in the 2023 budget.
A partial payment to Iroquois Paving was unanimously approved for $43,615.15 for work on Railroad Street.
Another payment to M & J Underground for camera and cleaning at Main, Second, and Railroad Streets was unanimously approved for $22,944.39. The expense was at the request of Robinson Engineering to get a good look at what’s underground in preparation for the downtown streetscape. Trustee Bowden asked what they found, and Mayor Peter March said the storm sewers were in good shape and didn’t need a lot of repair.
In the Mayor’s comments, he spoke about meeting with legislators and lobbyists in Springfield. March said they’re working on fighting the TIF bill and looking to increase their local government distributions. March also said he and Administrator Ingalls attended the Will County Planning and Zoning committee meeting and the solar farm on the Ruhbeck property passed. March also said the village is working with Ruhbeck to annex the property into the village to control that section around I-57 for future development.
Mayor March then addressed his thoughts on backyard chickens. He said, “Personally I’m not in favor of backyard chickens, but I want to keep an open mind.” He went on to explain zoning ordinances are in place, and the village has to enforce them. The village doesn’t have the resources to enforce the ordinance until a full time code enforcement position is open. March added he has been approached by many village residents who are not in favor of backyard chickens.
An attendee called out and asked the mayor to put it on the agenda at the next meeting so he can know who to vote for.
March was asked by The Vedette his thoughts on the Peotone Airport bill that passed committee on March 9. March said, “On behalf of the village, I have been following the progress of HB2531 through the current legislative session. Our lobbyists through the Will County Governmental League and the Illinois Municipal League have kept us informed of this bill from the start. As I understand, if this bill passes, it will force IDOT to request qualifications from interested private parties who may want to develop a cargo-based airport. This bill in no way authorizes any start of construction. We will continue to work with our local legislators to make sure this does not negatively impact our community.”
In other board news, Julie Busich spoke during public comments. She owns 113 N. Second Street, which is for sale. She has owned the building for 23 years, and she addressed Mike Jones concerning the comment he said at the last meeting to the prospective wine bar business owner about checking out the roof. Busich said Jones’ building also was for sale at the same time her building was for sale, and his son, Adam Jones, had shown both properties.
“Over the last year, my building and your building were being sold at the same time. For you to make a comment like that, on my building, sitting here as a representative of Peotone Village Hall, is absolutely disgusting to me.” Busich said Jones making the comment was intended to quash the sale.
She continued, “I think that was a huge conflict of interest. I don’t think people like you have any room on this board anymore. This good ole boys club, protecting your own; I just don’t think you have room anymore in this village, Mike.”
Busich said she was extremely disappointed and would like to file some sort of complaint. There were no comments after she spoke.
Illinois News
National News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Classifieds
Area News
PHS Coach Updates
Spread the loveThe varsity girls basketball team earned their 25th win of the season February 10th over Joliet Catholic 45-40. Leaders were Jenna Hunter (16 pts, 5 rebs), Madi Schroeder (10 pts, 11 rebs), Mady Kibelkis (9 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts). The JV girls basketball lost to Joliet Catholic last night. They end their…
Peotone Bowling Results: January 22 – 29
Spread the loveJanuary 22 Saturday Night Live High individual game (scratch): Tracy McBride 186, Travis Skyberg 236; high individual series (scratch): Tracy McBride 526, Paul Szymanski 660; high team series (scratch): 4 Balls and 2 Splits – 2164; high team game: 4 Balls and 2 Splits – Kayla Skyberg 169, Randy Bettenhausen 194, Tracy McBride…
Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships
Spread the loveThe Will County Farm Bureau Foundation Board is accepting applications for this year’s scholarship program, with 52 $1,200 scholarships offered. Scholarship rules and procedures are available with the application form at www.willcfb.com. All applications submitted must be typewritten or computer typed on the original application form. Submission deadline is March 2, with mail…
CAC Sponsoring Workshop February 12
Spread the loveThe Community Arts Council, Inc., of Kankakee County, is sponsoring a workshop this Saturday, February 12, at the Arts Center Store in Northfield Square Mall. “BFF Bracelets” will be presented by CAC artist member Dawn Wrobel at 1:30 p.m. Guests, ages eight and older, must preregister online at “https://www.eventbrite.com/e/262345140377”. The cost is $27,…
Lady Devils Win 10th Straight Game
Spread the loveBy Dennis Bowling Peotone’s unstoppable triple threat of juniors Jenna Hunter and Madyson Kibelkis, plus sophomore Madison Schroeder, each put their best foot forward, as TF South had no answer on how to contain them on January 31. Forward Hunter (18 points, 11 rebounds), forward-guard Kibelkis (16 points, 4 steals, 4 assists), and…
Rep. Haas Recognizes Bourbonnais, Wakseka Businesses
Spread the loveState Representative Jackie Haas recently recognized a local business in the 79th Legislative District, as part of her monthly business spotlight program. For January, she chose to highlight ReCharge Coffee Company, with locations in Bourbonnais, at 415 Main Street NW, and in Watseka, at 418 West Walnut Street. Rep. Haas visited the Bourbonnais…
Romeoville Police First to Join County Needle Take-Back Program
Spread the loveThe Romeoville Police Department became the first in Will County to expand its Pharmaceutical Take-Back program to include needles, or “sharps.” “Sixteen Will County Police Departments and the Will County Sheriff’s Department have partnered with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery and Energy Division to provide places…
PHS First Semester Honor Rolls
Spread the lovePeotone High School recently announced students named to its first semester honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students! Superior Honor Roll (4.0+) Seniors: Delaney Balmer, Grace Battiato, Alexis Burns, Cameryn Canavan, Olivia Cann, Brooklynn Cavitt, Ryley Clarke, Emma Coffey, Daniel Czaja, Jade DeLuca, Amelia Earley, Dominick Esquivel, Jayia Frenzel, Amanda Hasse, Tyler Hendriker, and…
Rep. Haas Comments on State of State/Budget Address
Spread the loveRepresentative Jackie Haas issued the following statement following Governor Pritzker’s State of the State/Budget Address. “After Governor Pritzker’s budget address, we cannot forget that this is the same man who threatened the people of Illinois with the highest tax hike in our history. While his current budget paints a pretty picture, it does…
Peotone Library News
Spread the loveWant to use the digital collection and don’t have a library card? Residents may get a digital card through the library website on the Resources page. Check out online resources, plus the Museum Adventure Passes; visit museumadventure.org for more information. Too cold to travel? Why not download e-books, videos, and magazines from the…
Game On’s Super Souper Bowl
Spread the loveGame On hosted their first ever Soup Cook-Off clearly titled “Souper Bowl” on Sunday, January 30. Soup cooks were required to make one full crock pot of their best soup for a chance to win a cash prize. Taking home the honors were: Fourth place winner Jeannette Hennke, with a beef barley soup.…
R.P. Lumber Celebrates 45 Years of Hard Work, Great Partnerships
Spread the loveFamily-owned company maintains focus on providing jobs, “Best Service” to Midwest communities. On a frigid January 17, 1977, R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. opened its doors for the first time in Staunton. The young entrepreneur who opened the doors that day didn’t see a customer for three days and battled a bitter winter, but…
Park Forest Historical Society Presents New YouTube Program
Spread the loveBe sure to watch the society’s YouTube program Sunday, February 27, at 2:30 p.m. – “Reflections and Accomplishments of African Americans.” The program will be launched on the YouTube channel “Park Forest Historical Society” and will remain on the channel indefinitely. This program was digitized by Media Burn Archives, with funds supplied by…
Record Snowfall Dumps on Will and Kankakee Counties
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens Snowmageddon 2022 struck with a force Tuesday night. By noon on Wednesday, February 2, Peotone had seen 9.25” of snow, and it just kept coming. By Wednesday night, Peotone weather.com indicated official Peotone snowfall was at 10.7 inches. The storm dumped about 20 inches of snow in central Illinois. Near…